Gaetz argued the Gillum-DeSantis match-up was a much-anticipated “clash” of ideologies.

“I have known Andrew Gillum since college,” he said. “He went to Florida A&M University. I went to Florida State University. I’ve known Andrew for 16 years. He is a friend of mine. But Andrew is a socialist. Andrew will not say that he believes in free markets and capitalism, and I think he will be a very dangerous governor for the state of Florida.”

“Ron DeSantis is an all-star,” he continued. “Ron has been successful at everything he has ever done in his life, from winning the Little League World Series as a young tike in Florida to serving as an officer in our military in a combat zone, to being one of the most conservative members of the entire United States Congress. What’s exciting about this race is that it’s really the clash of the Titans. You got a real rock star candidate who can speak to the virtue of free people and free markets who I think very effectively can tell Florida stories — cutting taxes, reducing regulations, becoming one of the top states in America for economic growth and job growth and business investment. Andrew Gillum will say we just don’t have the government involved enough in our lives.”